Bill would let young Idaho adults carry concealed guns in cities

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A measure that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon without a permit throughout Idaho has moved forward in the Legislature.

People 21 and older already have that right in Idaho. But that law, passed in 2016, excluded 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying a concealed handgun within the limits of any city unless they have a conceal-carry permit. Under the legislation, that exception would go away.

The House State Affairs Committee voted 13-2 to send the legislation to the House floor, with all the Republicans on the committee and Rep. Elaine Smith, a Pocatello Democrat, voting in favor. Only Reps. John Gannon and Brooke Green, both Democrats from Boise, opposed it.

Before the vote, the committee had a short hearing, with just three members of the public weighing in. All three testified in favor of the measure, including 16-year-old Adrik Fisher.

"Constitutional rights should not be denied to law-abiding adults based on age or location," Fisher told the committee.

Idaho law requires people to be at least 21 to buy a handgun from a federally licensed gun dealer or retailer, but 18-year-olds can privately purchase or be given guns.

Gannon questioned whether the legislation would essentially eliminate the need for concealed-carry licenses.

Rep. Christy Zito, a Republican from Hammett who is co-sponsoring the measure, said licenses would still help people who want to carry concealed weapons in other states, because some have license reciprocity agreements with Idaho.